40 Goals in 40 Weeks by Age 40

It occurred to me the other day that I'll be 40 years old in 40 weeks exactly on January 20th, 2014.

That's today.

FORTY. 40.

I don't know why that number gives me anxiety. Maybe because I remember my parents turning 40 - vividly - and now it's me. Or maybe it's because it represents the dreaded era of the "mid-life crisis". But then again, it could be that 40 is the new 30, and technically at 30 you're supposed to be a "grown up". So if I didn't feel grown up at 30, the pressure is on now...and I REALLY DO HAVE to be a "grown up".

Never mind the fact that I've been married almost 15 years, I have had 3 babies and I'm raising them, I haven't been on my parents insurance in years, or that I have TONS of life experiences that would deem me a "grown up". For some reason I feel like there are things that have been left - OUTSTANDING - or that I could be doing a better job of or more often.

Having more fun. Taking better care of myself. Enjoying the little things more.

So, I'm starting my 40 x 40 Challenge. Today.

I've made a bucket list of sorts that I'd like to accomplish by my Fortieth birthday. I plan to blog about each one as I work towards it or accomplish them {in no particular order}.

I hope you'll support my journey by following along, but mainly in the form of prayer. I'm gonna need it.

I tried to divide the list into categories:
{The Hs}health/home - {The EERS}career/volunteer - {The Fs} faith/fun/family.

So here's my list...

 

1. Health & Home-Reach a goal weight
2. Walk/Run 40 miles per month
3. Run at least a 5K {I'm sure you marathoners just giggled.}
4. Treat/Manage anxieties
5. Treat/Manage dry skin
6. Attempt yoga - again {even if I look like an idiot}
7. Make multi-vitamins a habit
8. Plant a veggie garden
9. Make window treatments for 5 rooms
10. Learn to bake a turkey
11. Learn to bake a ham
12. Learn to bake Aunt Nita's 9-layer Chocolate Cake
13. "Finish" the house we've been in for 10 years
14. Make my birthday wall
15. Organize our estate {I know, I know.}
16. Career/Volunteer-Pick a career
17. Register for a class(es)
18. Plan a(nother) successful event for the Junior League
19. Read 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
20. Read The Power of Positive Thinking
21. Investigate/Sign up for volunteer opps at the MIDDLE school {YIKES!}
22. Faith/Fun/Family-Tackle the Essential 100 Challenge
23. Host a small-group Bible study
24. Pray through Christmas Cards
25. Host monthly Sunday lunch/dinner for my parents and Shan's
26. Learn the basics of playing guitar
27. Take some(more) tennis lessons
28. Celebrate our 15th anniversary like we deserve
29. Mail a note or card to someone weekly
30. Invite 1 couple/family over per month
31. Go apple picking in early fall
32. Go strawberry picking in the summer
33. USC Football game road-trip with friends
34. Teach my boys about Dave Ramsey for Kids
35. Buy a bike for ME
36. Go on a family bike ride(s)
37. Watch the sunrise at the beach with my boys
38. Camp in a tent with the boys
39. Learn about football
40. Host the Ultimate White Trash Party II {Filed under "Faith", of course...J/K!!!}

There you have it. I'm starting today.

Do you have a milestone birthday or important event coming up? Have you set goals? I'd love to hear about it!

Wish me luck!

CTBaker

Letting Go

Well. Happy New Year!

It's 2014 already? So hard to believe.

My New Year post is a little delayed, but then again, it's doing a lot better than my Thanksgiving and Christmas posts that never even made it to the blog.

 I love the fresh start of the new year! For me, it's a chance to wipe the slate clean; out with the old, in with the new. I thought about doing a post on my resolutions, but then I remembered that resolutions and I don't get along. I do better resolving to make changes randomly throughout the year...as they come to me. I definitely have goals for 2014 in mind. I just don't necessarily feel like I have to change everything starting January 1st. I get too overwhelmed and fear failure.

I've spent the last few days reflecting on 2013 and what kind of year it was. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. I think the most distinguishable theme of last year is "letting go".

I'm not a "let-goer" by nature. I usually hang on for dear life.
Afraid of change, I cling to people, events, traditions, and idols. Letting go is hard. It can be liberating and bittersweet in some cases. Painful in others. Sometimes letting go of something hurts so badly in that moment, but it only means God is preparing us for something better.

It seems like I had a lot of that this past year.

I am still in the process of letting a few things go. Unfortunately, they didn't disappear at midnight on December 31, 2013!

I'm still trying to let go of my long-time idol and crutch called ANXIETY {it's a daily struggle}.

 

I said SEE-YA! to a few friendships that were often one-sided and a few that were recently very hurtful.

I am still letting go of the idea of not having my Aunt Laynie. The holidays make it rough!

 

I had to let go of an awkward and hurtful situation where my help was requested and was in turn perceived as invasive. 

I let go of the idea that I was still 18 {or at least 25}, as I celebrated my 20th high school reunion.

 I let go of my baby Ver and our 9-12 preschool days when he went to big-boy school with his brothers.

It was very long overdue that I purge the baby gear, so I let it go too. {It served me VERY well through all three.}
I also let go of having any more babies.

 

And as always, I tried to find a little humor in letting go of certain things...

 

I had to let go of my fear of operating heavy "machinery" {a 4-wheeler on a very steep mountain} and flying by myself.

 

Though it may not be a big deal to the average person, it's HUGE for me. I let go of my need to create thematically coordinated Halloween costumes and let the boys pick and design their own. (I only helped where asked.}

And at the end of 2013, I let go of a seven year volunteer tradition that is near and dear to my heart.

 

 

 

I am sure I let go of many other little things along the way, but in my heart, these were pretty big things.

 

I let go feeling a little heavy hearted but a little lighter at the same time.

 

Letting go is a weird thing.

 

But as The Truth states:

 

Forget the former things;

    do not dwell on the past. 

See, I am doing a new thing!

    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland. -Isaiah 43:18-19

 

I must move forward, excited for the "NEW things".

 

God's Peace to you in the New Year!

 

Y'all Come!

The following post is an email I sent a few weeks ago regarding the Holiday Market. I hope those of you stopping by the blog who are in the area will pay us a visit December 5-8, 2013 for a great cause.

 

Friends and Family,

 

I hope this note finds you well and will spark your holiday spirit a little early. As most of you know, I have been an active member of the Junior League of Columbia for 12 years. The Junior League is a non-profit organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism and improving communities around the midlands.  It's purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.  

 

For the last 7 years I have volunteered for the committee that plans our Holiday Market. The Holiday Market is a 4 day shopping event and is the largest fundraiser for the JLC. We host close to 100 merchants from all over the country. The Holiday Market is also well-known for its 3 fantastic events that are open to the community. From the perfect gift to sitting on Santa's lap, there is truly something for everyone at the Holiday Market.

 

I have served in many capacities over the years, but my role this year is overseeing the entire planning committee and event with my Co-Chair and dear friend, Misty Burton. We have chosen the theme "Favorite Things", as our committee has referred to us over the years as Oprah and Gayle. ;-) And we all love "Oprah's Favorite Things"!  We are working tirelessly to make this another amazing market and I would love your support.

 

So here's the scoop...

 

Cantey Building at the SC State Fairgrounds

DECEMBER 5th-8th

With special events DECEMBER 4th, 5th, & 6th!

 

Market is open to the public

Thursday, December 5

9:30-5:00

Friday, December 6

9:30-8:00

Saturday, December 7

9:30-6:00

Sunday, December 8

12:00-5:00

 

Special Events

Wednesday, December 4

Preview Party

6:30-11:00

Silent Auction

7:00-9:00

Grab yourself a date and some dancing shoes and join us! Enjoy music by The Maxx, food by Southern Way, and get first dibs on all the "Favorite Things" our merchants have to offer. Be sure to get a bid number and check out our fantastic silent auction.

Tickets are $55 per person or $95 per couple BEFORE November 15 or $75 per person AFTER November 15.

 

Thursday, December 5

Ladies Night Out

6:00-10:00

This IS the hottest ticket in town. No lie!

It is a pre-sold event that sells out EVERY year. Get your best girlfriends and join us for a night of shopping and sampling food from Columbia's top restaurants.

Tickets are $30 and are NOT available at the door.

 

Friday, December 6

PJs with Santa

5:00-8:00

Get your little peeps dressed in their Christmas PJs and head over for a fun-filled family night. We'll have face painting, by Tag-it Art tumbling from the Little Gym, cookies and crafts, and Jolly Ol' Saint Nick.

Tickets are $8 per child.

2013 Holiday Market tickets will be available online HERE from October 1 to December 3.
Tickets can ONLY be purchased online and at the door (excluding Ladies Night Out).
Visit www.jlcolumbia.org or contact me for more information!

 

 

Please pass this along to your friends and co-workers.

 

I hope to see y'all at the market!!!

 

XO

 

Claudia Baker

2013 Holiday Market Co-Chair

Junior League of Columbia

 

Five on Friday

Yay! It's a record for me. I've actually blogged 3 times this week.

I'm joining in again with a few of my favorite bloggers for Five on Friday.

ONE
We survived the first week of school!!! Only 35 more weeks til summer! Sam and Fulton jumped up excited and ready on Monday. I was totally relieved because we had really started throwing bedtime out the window over the summer! They are now in 5th and 2nd grade.

Oliver was a tad miffed that he didn't get to start with them, but no worries little guy, you start Monday. I was VERY grateful for the one-one-one time I got with Oliver this week. This time next week I could quite possibly be in the nut-house as I am really dreading sending my baby to all-day school.

 Sam 5th, Fulton 2nd, and we met some school buddies for and ice cream treat!

TWO
Oliver and I had lots of snuggle and play time this week. He had 3 play-date adventures and seemed to really enjoy his last week of summer vacay with mommy. We blew bubbles, went to meet friends for lunch, got some new tenny-pumps, and snuggled on the sofa and watched our favorite shows. I love that sweet boy!

THREE
My August Birchbox came this week! {If you don't know what that is, check it out!} The greatest shade of red lipstick was in it! And y'all know I love some red lipstick! Always have. I used to wear it just on fancy occasions, but now I wear it just because. Shan likes it too. So as soon as he got home I gave it whirl!

 

MODEL Co. Party Proof Matte Lipstick Red Velvet

Any who, once this runs out I'll definitely reorder.

FOUR
Football season is now less than a week away. It's always an exciting time of year! Next Thursday the USC Gamecocks will be taking on the UNC Tarheels. It'll be like our own personal Civil War on the field! GO COCKS!

 

VS.

 

FIVE
This weekend I'm looking forward to a leadership training that I'm participating in for Junior League. I love all the opportunities they give us to learn how to lead others as we give back to our community. {While I'm still in cheerleader mode from #4} Go JLC!

 

Have a good weekend! TGIF!!!

 



Well...

Hello there.

Remember me?

Allow me to re-introduce myself...

I'm CTBaker in the Acres! I'm the mother of three blond little boys and the wife to a rockstar. Not really a rockstar. He's actually better because he tolerates me on a daily basis. God love him. This is "my place" to rant and share. It seems that I have fallen down on the job again. The only way for a blogger to end her hiatus is with BULLETS!

• I last left you with Sambo's birthday. We were celebrating the wonderful 10 year-old that he is. He had a sleepover with few of his best buds. It was loud and it was stinky in my house for about 15 hours. But super fun as The Avengers, A&W Root Beer floats, and pick-up football games kept us all entertained.

• Then there was the fair. I've done many-a-post about my passion for the SC State Fair, so y'all know the drill...

 

• Then my favorite time of the year...HALLOWEEN!!! But this year I was quite glum, as my hubby had to travel the entire week before Halloween and the week of. I had to ZOMBIFY my little football players and go to the annual Pine Island Carnival all by myself with the boys because his flight came in really late. All was well, though. We met up with Nana, Papa, and cousins Kirstin and Madeline. The boys and Kirstin made a pretty spooky zombie squad and had their fill of carnival food, cotton candy, games, rides, and haunted hayrides.

• The weekend before Halloween I tried to suck as much holiday out of Shan as possible. But he rallied on that Sunday before he left town again and helped me and my mom pull off The 2nd Annual Forest Acres Neighborhood Parade {last year}. We had another great turnout this year with lots of new little ghosts and goblins. The boys weren't interested in putting on all their zombie goop, so they just went as the football team and we were naturally the referees.

• After a very busy, birthday and activity packed October, it was time to give thanks! We celebrated at my mom and dad's house. I was particularly thankful for a couple of reasons. My Aunt Laynie, who has been battling cancer, rallied and was able to join us. It just wouldn't be the same without her. And it was the first of many holidays that my mom and dad had all 4 children and 7 grandchildren under one roof. With in-laws and 5 different family schedules, we often can't coordinate a time that suits everyone so we stagger visits. At first, I was fearful that the Mayans may actually be correct in their end-of-time theory!

• The week immediately following Thanksgiving could quite possible be deemed the busiest week of my life. It's the week of the Junior League of Columbia's Holiday Market. This year our theme was "Be Merry and Bright" and my placement was Holiday Market Co-Vice Chair with one of my favorite people on the planet. It is a week filled with TONS of hard work, events, shopping, damage control, and TONS of hard work.

We turn a warehouse-type building into a shopping wonderland with the most festive decorations and close to a hundred vendors from all over the country. My friend Erin has some amazing pictures of the Holiday Market decorations on her blog.  

After 6 years on the committee, next year Misty and I will be graduating to Co-Chairs of the market and we are so thankful for the leadership of Karen and Erica this year, or "Karica" as we call them, they have well-paved the way for us.
 

As usual, I couldn't have pulled that week off without Shan's help. He is the BEST! Any who... here are a few highlights.
 

Here are just a few other tidbits and pics from the by-and by...

•  I turned 3*!

• We duked out a pretty good Gamecock football season

• The Ver-man completed his first soccer season and got a trophy!

• We found lots of things to keep us "occupied" while Shan was traveling for two weeks. Face-Time on my phone became our favorite thing and he was able to join us as we made our Potato-Head Vampire and during Halloween festivities.

• Oliver went on a trip to the farm and pumpkin patch with his buddies from school. I'm not sure who had more fun... him or me.

• We also attended our 3rd and final Thanksgiving feast at the preschool. We received our 3rd Indian Tribe from Mrs. Frannie and my set is now complete. It was a precious, yet tearful moment for this mommy! I've been at that school now for 11 years and Oliver will be off to big-boy school next year. I'm trying to savor every moment in the "Jesus Bubble" that I can!

 

 

 

• As I mentioned earlier, our hearts were full on Thanksgiving as we celebrated with my mom's side of the family. Not only were all my siblings in one place, but my mom's were too! She is one of seven. Her oldest brother and youngest sister passed away when I was a little girl. But we were so very thrilled to have the five of them all together!

 



Well...it's been a pretty busy fall. And we will soon be celebrating Christmas! I can't believe it. Where has this year gone?

I hope to better maintain my blog for my boys and hope too that y'all will stay along for the ride.

XO,

VBS 2012

I had all intentions of doing a couple of posts this week, but it has ended up being one of those weeks where I haven't had a chance to come up for air. Shan is traveling and I am flying solo. It's a really big week for my volunteer obligations with Junior League and church, so finding the time to sit down and blog has been tough.

This week is also one of my most favorite weeks of the year. IT'S VBS WEEK at our church!!! The week is filled with positivity, joy, good thoughts, and reminders that we have a loving, mighty, and trustworthy God. Without fail, each year I am moved to tears at some point. Sometimes it's a Bible lesson that gets me, a parent's praise or story of how we have reached their child. Or sometimes it's just watching the children sing at the top of their lungs and dance their hearts out. It is always an emotional time for me!

In the past I have been a crew or activity leader, but this year my friend Sarah asked me to help her chair and I accepted. We recruited some awesome volunteers from our church and friendship circles and they helped us pull off a fabulous week. We truly couldn't have done it without them!

We used the Group Curriculum - "Sky". The theme was about trusting God no matter who, what, when, or where you are. The message was so very simple, yet so profound for these children. I had many parents tell me how excited they were that their children were retaining so much and even better, SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS to their friends and families. It such a good feeling to get that kind of feedback... we are doing our jobs!

In my opinion, the music this year was some of the best in a couple of years. I just love the energy it creates. The children all have their personal favorite tunes and can't wait to hear them each day. My boys ask me to play their favorite tracks on the CD on the way to VBS in the mornings and want me to crank it up as loud as they can tolerate. I love it! It puts me in such a good mood. I wish everyday could be like VBS! I happen to have my own fave... "I'll Fly Away". Only, I like to sing it as obnoxiously soulful as possible. In fact, I had all the boys convinced yesterday that I had previously been in a Gospel choir. They thought that was the coolest thing ever!!! Is that wrong?

Any who, we head to the church for our Family Finale and Dinner tonight and another VBS year will have come and gone. I am grateful for all the volunteers who make this week happen, all the parents who bring their children, and for our Lord who gives us this opportunity to fill their hearts with The Word!

XO,

C'mon Get Happy!

The last 6 weeks have been very trying to say the least.

We went on our fabulous Baker Road Trip and it all seemed to start spiraling from there.
I suddenly began to have migraine headaches WITH aura about 3-4x a day from April 3rd-ish to May 2nd. At times they were so severe I truly thought I may be having mini-strokes because of my visual disturbances and pain. This was all totally strange and frightening because I do NOT get headaches.

At the advice of good friends and their ability to pull some strings, I slid right on in to a neurologist's office who told me originally that it'd be the end of June for new referrals. Um, no thanks! But I got in that same day. He scheduled an MRI and my report came back fine. But now I have to figure out my "triggers" for my new ailment and learn how to manage them. My follow up is in a couple of weeks, so we shall see!

My Papa passed away last week on May 7th. We had been expecting it, but it doesn't make it any easier. I am going to really miss him and his stories. And my heart is still very sad for my dad. I plan to write a tribute to Papa very soon.

My Aunt Laynie and her daughter Renee {my cousin} are both very ill and I am praying for miracles. I'd love it if you would too. I love both of them beyond words and I also believe in miracles.

Yesterday Oliver woke up with an odd bug bite on his calf and wouldn't use his leg at all! I ended up at the doctor having it lanced. Poor Oliver! It broke my heart because he does NOT cry, but he did today. LOTS. We are now on heavy duty antibiotics to prevent staph. Fun stuff.

Not to mention... it has rained and rained and rained so much that Shan and I are about to start building an ark!

Any who...
It seems I've been surrounded by lots of gloom recently, so it's the small blessings and little things I am rejoicing in today.

1) My most recent Etsy feedback made me smile.
2) My awesome new hairbrush that baby-Ver picked out by accident at the drug store. I love it!

3) My Aunt Laynie's MRI of her spine came back negative.
4) Our VBS that was on the verge of being cancelled is back on and the volunteers are steadily coming in. So thankful!

 Columbia folks, register here.
5) My new Bible study

and Sunday School

are helping me to keep my eyes on Him to get over these hurdles.
6) This little person

said "I'm so lucky you're my mom!" this morning before he went to school.

I am truly thankful for those of you who know "where I am" right now and all your prayers. I am looking forward with hope that things will be looking up soon.
XO